Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Lesotho
Lesotho: Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes was 9.9% in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Lesotho, 1970–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2018, gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Lesotho stood at 9.9%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.6% on the previous year and up 170.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Lesotho peaked at 10.9% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 0.4%, in 1972.
Lesotho ranks 163rd of 194 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 0.5% | — |
| 1971 | 0.4% | -17.2% |
| 1972 | 0.4% | -10.4% |
| 1973 | 0.5% | +33.5% |
| 1974 | 0.6% | +12.8% |
| 1975 | 0.5% | -11.4% |
| 1976 | 0.6% | +26.9% |
| 1977 | 0.8% | +27.7% |
| 1978 | 0.9% | +8.6% |
| 1979 | 1.0% | +13.1% |
| 1980 | 0.9% | -8.5% |
| 1981 | 1.0% | +8.2% |
| 1982 | 1.0% | +3.7% |
| 1983 | 1.0% | +0.5% |
| 1984 | 0.9% | -6.1% |
| 1985 | 1.2% | +26.2% |
| 1986 | 1.2% | +3.1% |
| 1987 | 1.4% | +12.0% |
| 1988 | 1.5% | +7.3% |
| 1989 | 1.4% | -1.9% |
| 1990 | 1.2% | -16.2% |
| 1991 | 1.2% | +2.7% |
| 1992 | 2.1% | +72.8% |
| 1993 | 2.3% | +5.9% |
| 1994 | 2.4% | +6.5% |
| 1995 | 2.4% | -2.4% |
| 1996 | 2.4% | +2.0% |
| 1999 | 1.9% | -19.8% |
| 2000 | 2.1% | +7.9% |
| 2001 | 2.3% | +9.0% |
| 2002 | 2.2% | -1.2% |
| 2003 | 2.7% | +20.4% |
| 2005 | 3.4% | +27.6% |
| 2006 | 3.7% | +6.6% |
| 2012 | 10.9% | +195.3% |
| 2013 | 10.5% | -3.7% |
| 2014 | 10.4% | -0.4% |
| 2015 | 9.7% | -6.6% |
| 2017 | 10.3% | +6.0% |
| 2018 | 9.9% | -3.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0.6% | 0.4% | 1.0% | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.1% | 0.9% | 1.5% | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.0% | 1.2% | 2.4% | 8 |
| 2000s | 2.7% | 2.1% | 3.7% | 6 |
| 2010s | 10.3% | 9.7% | 10.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More education data for Lesotho
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 23,698 (2022)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 136,497 (2017)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 309,480 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.8093 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1324 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 309,480 (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth -0.8093 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Lesotho?
- Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Lesotho was 9.9% in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 10.9% in 2012.
- What is the lowest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.4% in 1972.
- How does Lesotho rank for gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes?
- Lesotho ranks 163rd out of 194 countries with data for 2018.
- Is gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 170.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release